Environmentalists say Alberta government keeping them out of oilsands hearing

EDMONTON – Environmentalists are arguing that the Alberta government is keeping them out of hearings on an oilsands development in part because of their stand on the industry.

The Oilsands Environmental Coalition has filed court documents about a decision to exclude the coalition from a hearing on a proposed project along the MacKay River in northeastern Alberta.

The documents include a briefing note to Alberta Environment’s deputy minister explaining the decision.

That note says the coalition doesn’t meet the test of being directly affected by the project.

It also says the group is becoming less inclined to work co-operatively with the government.

The coalition wants a Queen’s Bench judge to allow it to file statements of concern about the proposal by Southern Pacific Resource Corp. (TSX:STP).